Montana Instruments Corporation

Ben Linkenhoker

Luke Mauritsen

Josh Doherty

Anjan Reijnders

William Baker

Jamesen Motley

Joseph Evers

Ryan Murdick

Caleb Schreibeis

Isaac Henslee

Variable temperature analytical instruments and components are provided that can include: first and second conduits both configured to receive fluid from a cryofluid source and provide same to an analysis component; and a housing about the conduits wherein the housing is configured to maintain a vacuum about the conduits. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include dynamically providing fluid from a cryofluid source through at least one of two conduits housed within a vacuum, to an analysis component.

Analytical instruments, methods, and components

Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a mobile component comprising a cold source; a substantially fixed analysis component; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a mobile analysis component; a substantially fixed component comprising a cold source; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in thermal communication with an analysis component; and at least one pressure barrier defining a plurality of discrete masses maintained at different temperatures between the cold source and the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a cold source in thermal communication with an analysis component; and a plurality of discrete masses maintained at different temperatures about a single thermal communication between the cold source and the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in fluid communication with at least one analysis component; a pump assembly operably coupled to the cold source and the analysis component; at least a pair of conduits extending between the cold source and the analysis component; and another conduit extending between the analysis component and the pump assembly. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a cold source in fluid communication with at least one analysis component; a pump assembly operably coupled to the cold source and the analysis component; at least a pair of conduits extending between the cold source and the analysis component; and another conduit extending between the analysis component and the pump assembly.

Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a mobile component comprising a cold source; a substantially fixed analysis component; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component. Variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided that can include: a mobile analysis component; a substantially fixed component comprising a cold source; and an interface configured to couple the mobile component with the analysis component.

Variable temperature analytical instrument heat exchanger components are provided that can include a conduit in thermal communication with at least one thermally discrete mass, the discrete mass being configured as a cold source to be coupled to a member to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy. Variable temperature analytical instrument components are also provided that can include: a first mass to be maintained at a first temperature; a first conduit in fluid communication with the first mass; and a second mass thermally connected to the first conduit, the second mass having a different temperature than the first mass. Methods for varying the temperature within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include thermally coupling at least a portion of an exhaust fluid conduit with a first mass and using the first mass as a cold source.

Variable temperature analytical instrument components are provided that can include: a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: a sample chamber configured to be operably coupled to a heat or cold source via one or more conduits; an interface component configured to engage the one or more conduits with the sample chamber, the interface comprising a conduit configured to extend between two chambers having different pressures; and a first mass about a section of the conduit, wherein the first mass is maintained at a first temperature. Methods for maintaining temperatures within a variable temperature analytical instrument are also provided. These methods can include maintaining a temperature within a conduit extending between two components of the instrument while each component is maintained at different pressures.

Variable temperature analytical instruments are provided that can include: at least one heat or cold source configured to generate a temperature; and discrete instrument portions individually thermally coupled to the at least one source. Methods for maintaining temperatures within variable temperature analytical instruments are also provided. The methods can include providing a plurality of thermal coupling between a plurality of discrete heat or cold sources to a plurality of discrete portions of the instrument.

Cryogenic analysis systems are provided that can include: at least one sample stage operatively aligned with at least one cooling source; at least one thermal link operationally coupled between the sample stage and the cooling source; and at least one link support between the cooling source and the sample stage, the link support engaging the thermal link. Methods for cooling a sample within a cryogenic analysis system are provided with at least some of the methods including: thermally connecting a cooling source to a sample stage supporting a sample via a thermal link; and supporting the thermal link between the cooling source and the sample stage.

Cryogenic systems and methods

Cryogenic sample analysis systems are provided that can include: a system housing in direct physical contact with an environment about the system; a sample platform within the system housing; and a resonance frequency insulating assembly operatively engaged between the sample platform and the housing. Cryogenic sample analysis systems are also provided that can include: a system housing in direct physical contact with an environment supporting and surrounding the system; a sample platform within the system and operationally coupled to a coldhead of the system; and an insulating assembly operatively engaged between resonance frequencies generated by the environment and/or the coldhead, the insulating assembly comprising a suspended mass.

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Bozeman, MT, United States of America

Ben Linkenhoker